Super League players to learn what pay cuts they face during Covid-19 crisis

Clubs were last night expected to send their proposed wage-structures to the rugby league players’ association.

Former Great Britain prop Garreth Carvell is the head rep for the RLPA – a branch of the GMB trade union – and has been in regular contact with Wigan’s leadership team, and other senior members of other squads, during the lockdown.

The Warriors and many other clubs have taken advantage of the furlough scheme during the coronavirus crisis for many of their staff, including players.

The government pays 80 per cent of wages up to £2,500 a month.

But all employers can ‘top up’ that money from their own accounts and across Super League there are, of course, players with much bigger contracts – many eager to discover what they will be paid until the season can resume.

Carvell said: “We’re hoping to hear from the clubs early this week with their individual proposals.

“Once we get those we’ll meet as the GMB to go through them to check they’re acceptable and fair, and then go to the players, and if we need to negotiate or go back to the club on the players’ behalf we will.

“There should be movement this week.”

Clubs have been denied revenue from their home matches since the Super League season was halted last month when the pandemic gripped the nation.

It is understood they received their quarterly payment from Sky Sports as expected but there is uncertainty whether the next installment will be paid, particularly if the season is not up and running by then.

The RFL has asked the government for financial assistance as many senior figures have spoken of their concerns. Warrington’s CEO Karl Fitzpatrick recently describing the game as being “on a knife edge” while Wigan executive director Kris Radlinski made it clear their challenge was getting every club to the start line for when the season resumes.

During the lockdown, Carvell has been communicating with senior players at each club, who then filter news and developments to the rest of the squad – and pass up any questions or issues.

“Normally we’re meeting face to face but because of this, I’ve set up Whatsapp groups with a leadership team of senior players at each club – usually six or seven players - and we communicate that way,” says the ex-Hull FC and Warrington forward. “So far it seems to be working well.”

Carvell said about 70 per cent of English-based Super League players were in the GMB and that number is increasingly weekly. Membership costs them around £14 each a month.

“Ideally we’d have 100 per cent – the more members we have, the stronger our voice,” he added.

“It’s not about making demands, it’s about having a voice in a conversation.”

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